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Topic: Basement door separating from rivets  (Read 785 times) previous topic - next topic

Basement door separating from rivets

I just noticed my large compartment door has separated from its metal frame in about half the assembly. The connect fasteners look like rivets or base tube nuts ? Imbedded in FRP of door.  Anyone know how to fix ? At this point door is loose at bottom when shut. I would hate to see this get worse!  My U320 04 year just came out of shop after new Air compressor,been in La Salle,Illinois over Thankinsgiving, bummer ......but that's another story , 2500 later.
We are winter Texans, in the hill country. come April we try heading back north to our cottage on Lake Superior. pull a 28' alum trailer ,BMW X5 onboard. We have a U320 2004  coach no. 6274 500 hp Cummins ,  has glass dash/ special maple interior.  . AH  model AHE 130 03X  Foretravel owner 3 years and holding,.....downsized from Country Coach Concept bus.

Re: Basement door separating from rivets

Reply #1 –
Darstar I just had a door fixed with new fiberglass-- he sanded out the damaged spot with coarse sandpaper (60Grit) when filled with rosin and new fiberglass. After he laid in several layers ,sanding between each layer with 180 grit he finished off with 240 grit then painted it. I can give you more details if you want to talk.  Text me at 50one-nine4four-0ne57two and Ill call you back
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Basement door separating from rivets

Reply #2 –
Half my rivets broke at the hinge on the door to my hot water heater.. I riveted it back.. I'm trying to get a mental picture of yours.. Is it not where you can rivet it?
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Basement door separating from rivets

Reply #3 –
I replace my hinges and used screws and nuts which IMO are better.  I believe the factory used rivets because it was faster. 
This is an old post for my 1991 but I believe the design is nearly the same.  In 2001 I bought a new 6 foot bay door and the parts personnel told me that the 2001 door would fit my 91 and it did.  I did notice the door was constructed a bit different.
Bay Door Hinge Replacement with Stainless Hinges
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Basement door separating from rivets

Reply #4 –
The door is in like new condition., so I would hate to drill holes thru to replace rivets. The river base has pulled away from the fiberglass. My guess is my bed slide out was not locked and hit the door from the inside hard. My big tool box is there,lots of weight. It seems like the thin door holding the rivet base would not have much meat for a strong contact. I will look again tomorrow. Trying to get further south too, been stuck in Normal,il. Cummins all day. Took them 10 hrs to find a bad ecm cable break ! .....I just duck taped the bottom of door for now.  I may take some photos..........
We are winter Texans, in the hill country. come April we try heading back north to our cottage on Lake Superior. pull a 28' alum trailer ,BMW X5 onboard. We have a U320 2004  coach no. 6274 500 hp Cummins ,  has glass dash/ special maple interior.  . AH  model AHE 130 03X  Foretravel owner 3 years and holding,.....downsized from Country Coach Concept bus.

Re: Basement door separating from rivets

Reply #5 –
My slide would not latch all the time so I fixed what was causing my issue.

Joey bed problem solved
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: Basement door separating from rivets

Reply #6 –
The cargo doors pulling away from the hinges was a problem on my 96 320.
I fixed them by fibreglassing a 3/16 in harwood dowel to the top edge of each door where the rivets were. I then replaced all rivets with 1/4 inch stainless bolts (about a hundred).
One of my doors actually sheared off when trying to close and slide under the coach.
Are your doors top hinged like mine or pantographic?
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada